Conveyer mechanism



' Jan. 18, 1927. 1,615,194

J. G. SWAB CONVEYER MEGHANI s11 Filed May 16, 1923 JA Y 6: SWAB Patented Jan. 18, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAY G. SWAB, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO HENRY TRENCHARD, JR., BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

CONVEYER ME CH ANISM.

Application filed May 16, 1923. Serial No. 639,280.

The present invention relates to conveyer mechanism and more particularly to conveyer mechanism whereby a blank is positively controlled during its passage through the 6 machine.

to an envelope machine. The description is,

however, merely illustrative and is not intended as defining the limits of the 1nvention.

Envelope blanks are usually carried through the machine, and more particularly along the folding table where the side wings of the blank are folded into overlapping relation to form the envelope, by a conveyer comprising a belt having grippers which clamp the forward edges of the blanks.

In order 'to hold the blanks in predetermined relation to the folder device during the folding of the wings of the blank to form the envelope, the gripper jaws of the conveyer 5 are ordinarily held in closed relation by springs, the jaws being opened by positively acting means and permitted to snap closed to engage the blanks inserted therein.

The present invention has for an object to provide an improved conveyer mechanism for carrying blanks through a machine in exact predetermined timed relation to the operating parts of the machine.

Another object is to provide an improved conveyer mechanism which can be removed as a unit from the machine for adjustment or repair.

The nature and objects of the invention will be better understood from a consideration of a selected illustrative embodiment thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof wherein:

Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section through a conveyer mechanism for an envelope machine constructed in accordance withand embodying the principles of the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 Figure 1 showing the conveyer mechanism and its relation to the folding table.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 Figure 1 showing the driving sprocket and. other details of the mechanism.

Figures 4 and 5 are detailed views showmg respectively top and side views of the grlpper.

In the construction shown for the purposes of illustration, a conveyer chain 5 travels along a folding table 6 whereon may be mounted the usual folding devices not shown for folding the wings of the blank inwardly and into overlapping relation during the travel of the blank therealong. The chain 18 providedwith a series of grippers 8, each having fixed and movable jaws 9 and 10. The fixed jaws 9 are rigidly mounted on or formed as parts of the links of the conveyer chain in a manner ,to prevent yielding thereof.

Preferably filler blocks 12 are provided at suitable intervals along the chain in order that the conveyer and the folding table together may present a substantially flat and continuous surface for supporting the blanks during the folding operations.

The chain as a whole is suitably guided to cause it to travel in a substantially straight line parallel to the top of the folding table. As shown this is accomplished by providing guides 14, 1 1 laterally of the chain having grooves 15 in which the ends of long pivot pins 16 of the chain are received to positively guide the chain. I It is not essential that all of the pivot pins of the chain should be of such length as to engage the guide but it is desirable that the pins of such links as carry grippers 8 or filler blocks 12 should be so guide The movable jaws 10 are preferably positively controlled during the whole of their operative movement. In the arrangement shown each jaw is provided on either side with arms 18, 18 having follower rollers 19, 19 which engage stationary cams 20 to control the jaw positively.

The control arms extend preferably rearwardlv far enough so that the jaw is easily controlled without binding of the followers against the cam. As shown these arms extend downwardly and rearwardly and engage guide ways which in the construction shown constitute the lower edges of the guides 14 engaged by the extended pivot pins 16.

The chain engages sprocket wheels 22, 23 and is positively driven by one of them. In the arrangement shown the stationary cams 14. are formed to open the grippersiat the further end of the horizol'ltal travel of the chain along the surface of the folding table. Referring to Figure l, a block 2a forming a part of one of the two similar cams provides a cam portion 25 which engages the follower 19 of the movable jaw to move said jaw to open position as the gripper reaches the end of its horizontal travel. A gripper jaw 10 is shown in Figure 1 in position after it has been opened by the actionof this portion of the cam. On the return travel of the grippers beneath the table it is immaterial whetherthe movable jaws are controlled or not. In the-arrangement shown they are not controlled but as they pass upwardly around the sprocket wheel to operative position, the follower rollers of the movable jaws are engaged by a block 27 forming a part of the stationary cam to insure opening thereof if not already open. The blanks are preferably introduced into the grippers as they pass a point vertically over the center of the shaft at whiclrtime the lower jaw, because its link is still being carried on the sprocket wheel, is in a downwardly sloping position, the upper aw of course being in open position. In this position of the grippers the jaws are so positioned that the blank is inserted easily therein and will not catch against either jaw. The movable jaw is immediately closed by the engagement of the follower rollerwith the sloping end 29 of the-cam face, the closing movement being thus positively controlled.

In order to insure an effective grip upon the blank, the jaws are preferably roughened or otherwise formed with gripping faces. As shown the movable jaw is recessed as indicated at 30 in Figure 4 and the fixed jaw is provided with corresponding projections 81. These projections may be formed by inserting pins in holes in the movable jaw. In this manner they may be removed as they become worn in use or in the event they are found objectionable for any particular work in hand.

The conveyer mechanism is preferably constructed as a removable unit in order that it may not be necessary to disassemble the whole machine when repair or replacement of parts becomes necessary. To this end the guide members 14 and the end cam members 32, 33 are made either integral or rigidly connected; These end cam members together with the sprocket wheels therebetween are mounted on similar bushings 85. The driving sprocket wheel is secured to its bushing by a suitable key. The bushing on the driving shaft'issuitably connected to said shaft as by a set screw 36 to rotate therewith. By this arrangement the conveyer mechanism is connected as a unit and when the shafts are removed it can be removed from the machine as a separate unit.

The foregoing description illustrates one selected embodiment of the invention for purposes of disclosure but such dcscri 'ition is illustrative merely and is not to be construed as defining the limits of the invention.

I claim:

1.. A .conveyer of the character described comprising a sprocket chain, guides extending parallel tosaid chain on either side thereof, said chain having extended pivoted pins extending into grooves in said guides, grippers carried by said chain having movable jaws, each jaw having an arm. with a follower engaging a way on one of said guides to control the opening and closing of said movable jaws.

2. In an envelope machine, the combination with a folding table of a conveyerchain movable along said folding table to. carry blanks therealong, filler blocks. carried by said chain and presenting a top surface substantially even with the top of said folding table, and grippers carried by said chain, having fixed jaws substantially even with the top of said folding table and movable jaws thcreafove for gripping the forward edge of envelope blanks.

3. In an envelope machine, the combina-v tion with a folding table of a conveyer chain movable along said folding table to carry blanks therealong, filler blocks carried by said chain and presenting a top surface substantially even with the top of said folding table, grippers carried by said chain, having fixed jaws substantially even with the top of said fol-ding table and movable jaws thereabove for gripping the forward edge of envelope blanks, and cam means for controlling the relative position of said movable jaws.

4. In an envelope machine, the combination with a folding table of a conveyer chain movable along said folding table to carry blanks therealong, filler blocks carried by said chain and presenting a top surface substantially even with the top of said folding table, grippers carried by said chain, having fixed jaws substantially even with the top of said folding table and movable jaws thereabove for gripping the forward edge of envelope blanks, can] means for controlling the relative position of said movable jaws, and a stationary cam extending parallel to and beneath said folding table, said movable jaws having arms with followers engaging saidstationary cam, to control the relative position of the movable jaws.

5. In an envelope machine, a folding table, and a conveyor mechanism associated with said table for moving blanks along said folding table, said conveyor mechanism comprising a conveyor supporting wheel, cam members at either side of said wheel, a sleeve extending axially through said wheel and through said cam members, and a removable shaft extending through said sleeve, the con- 'eyer mechanism being so constructed and veyer Wheels and on which said cams are 1 arranged that upon removal of the shaft the supported, and shafts extending through conveyer mechanism can be moved as a unit. said sleeves, said shafts being removable 6. In an envelope machine, a folding tawhereby said conveyer mechanism can be 5 ble, a conveyer mechanism associated With removed as a unit.

said table for moving blanks therealong, said In testimony whereof, I have signed my 1 conveyer mechanism comprising a conveyer, name to this specification this 9th day of conveyer supporting Wheels, cams, and May, 1923. sleeves extending axially through said con- JAY G. SVVAB. 

